Manchester United 1, Fulham 0
Joshua Zirkzee turned home the winner in the 87th minute as Manchester United beat Fulham to start their season.
In a game of few clear chances for either side the goalkeepers got a chance to shine as they made vital saves.
But as the game became more chaotic it was the Reds who made the breakthrough after Alejandro Garnacho and Zirkzee combined to win it for United.
The Red had struggled a bit to regain possession of the ball against a Fulham side all too keen to take it off them in a first half with few chances.
Kenny Tete forced Andre Onana into a flying save while Bruno Fernandes shot straight at Bernd Leno in a first half with few clear chances.
The Reds improved towards the end of the first half with Casemiro leading the charge from midfield but too few of his team mates were offering options so he had to go for goal with varying results.
Joshua Zirkzee late show wins it for Manchester United on his debut
Embed from Getty ImagesRodrigo Muniz’ second half shot looped up off Kobbie Mainoo and had to be tipped over the bar by Andre Onana after Joshua Zirkzee made his debut from the bench.
United almost conceded but for a late challenge by Harry Maguire as they lost control of the game midway through the second half.
Martinez almost put through his own net as he tried to cut out a late Andreas Pereira cross into the six yard box as Fulham outnumbered the Reds on the break.
But despite that lack of control in midfield the Reds somehow managed to find the winner in the late chaos – with two of the substitutes – Alejandro Garnacho and Zirkzee combining to create the late winner.
And Garnacho could have made the game safe in injury time but contrived to fluff his lines in front of an empty goal after Marcus Rashford unselfishly teed him up.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 1, Fulham 0
Andre Onana: 7. Tipped away a long range effort by Kenny Tete. Decent in the air against lofted balls. Had to tip a deflected Muniz shot over the bar and saved at the feet of the Fulham striker.
Noussair Mazraoui: 7. Decent debut at right back – always looking forwards.
Harry Maguire: 7. Got stuck in and prevented a clear run on goal in the second half.
Lisandro Martinez: 7. Well timed nudge to put Adama Traore off his stride when he was threatening to go through.
Diogo Dalot: 7. Had a job on his hands up against Adama Traore
Casemiro: 7. Urged the Reds to attack and created a couple of chances which Bruno Fernandes failed to put away. Caught offside a couple of times and twice went for Hollywood goals in the first half but missed. Also saw a downward header bounce over the bar.
Kobbie Mainoo: 7. Comfortable link play in midfield. Shot wide a couple of times when in a shooting position.
Amad Diallo: 6. Tried to buy a penalty early, didn’t quite reach the highs of the Community Shield.
Mason Mount: 6. Not great defensively. Booked for a cheap foul. Not much of a sniff at goal but did set up Kobbie Mainoo.
Marcus Rashford: 6. Frustrated by Kenny Tete and tried to win free kicks. Unselfishly set up Alejandro Garnacho in injury time but saw the chance wasted.
Bruno Fernandes: 6. Should have scored when Casemiro released him following errors by Bernd Leno but he shot straight at the German twice. Should have done better late in the game too with just Leno to beat.
Alejandro Garnacho (on for Amad Diallo, 60): 6. Great cross cut out by Kenny Tete. Produced the cross that Joshua Zirkzee scored from in the 87th minute. Made a hash of an open goal in injury time.
Joshua Zirkzee (on for Mason Mount, 60): 7. Imposed himself with a deft touch to score the winner in the 87th minute.
Jonny Evans (on for Harry Maguire, 81): No time to mark
Mathijs De Ligt (on for Noussair Mazroui, 81): No time to mark
Scott McTominay (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): No time to mark – serenaded by Fulham fans who want him to join their club.
GOAL – Manchester United 1, Fulham 0
Man Utd 1, Fulham 0: 87. Joshua Zirkzee converted Alejandro Garnacho’s cross with deft touch to turn it inside the back post after starting the move through Casemiro.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 1, Fulham 0
Man Utd: Onana, Mazraoui (de Ligt, 81), Maguire (Evans 81), Lisandro Martinez, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo (McTominay 84), Amad (Garnacho 60), Mount (Zirkzee 60), Rashford, Fernandes (C)
Man Utd Subs not used: Bayindir, Collyer, Eriksen, Antony
Booked: Mount 18 (foul on Emile Smith Rowe); Maguire 41 (high boot)
Goal: Zirkzee 87
Fulham: Leno (C), Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Pereira (Reed, 90+1), Lukic (Stansfield 90+1), Iwobi, Smith Rowe (Cairney 64), Traore (Wilson 78), Muniz (Jimenez 78)
Fulham Subs not used: Benda, Castagne, Jorge Cuenca, King
Booked: Bassey 25 (foul on Mason Mount); Pereira 70 (dissent); Cairney 73 (foul on Alejandro Garnacho)
Referee: Robert Jones
Attendance: 73,297